“IRON CURTAIN” BLOCKS N.Z. ENTOMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 6

“IRON CURTAIN” BLOCKS N.Z. ENTOMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

HAZARDS OF RESEARCH ABROAD

H "iron curtain” which now bisects Europe affects, for the time being-, at least, the progress of New Zealand entomological investipation, which in pre-war days was commenced in Balkan countries.

Advice to this effect was received by (he P-B. Catchment Board yesterday from the director of the entomology division at the plant research bureau in Nelson. The board had inquired whether the bureau could undertake further investigation of file possibilities of biological control of the varigated thistle pest, which is assuming serious proportions in this district. The director of the entomological division replied that investigation on Ibis line was undertaken some years ago, and an officer of Ihe division was sent to the Balkans to carry on the work there. This officer was withdrawn during the war years, and the work there was suspended. Officer’s Hazardous Situation This investigation was undertaken on behalf of the _ Gisborne-East Coast Sheepowners’ Union, members of which had raised £SOO towards the cost. "The work had not long been commenced before the war broke out and put a stop to (he undertaking,” continued the director. "The unexpended balance of the funds raised was re turned and tile project closed. “In view of present day European developments, 1 could not take the responsibility of re-opening (lie in-

vestigation as this would entail stationing a man behind that iron curtain’; in any case, I doubt if such an undertaking could be arranged. Indeed, the man doing the work for us originally found himself in an extremely hazardous position. "Again, the -investigation, even if il could be arranged, would require a great financial outlay and would be a very-long-term investigation, while I doubt very much that the results would be successful." When the letter came before the board at today’s meeting, Mr. E, A. Madden, who had previously raised the question of biological control of the thistle, stated that he had not known that the investigation had been undertaken prior to the war. "It looks as though (he Balkans is the home of the variegated thistle, and that that is where the division would have to look for a parasite to control it,” added Mr. Madden, who pointed out that in the case of imported plant pests, it was usually necessary to search for the controlling parasites in their home countries. That had been effective in the case of the prickly pear in Australia, where the cactoblactis insect introduced from America had established complete control.